Geography and exploration of metareality: expanding reference frameworks

Abstract

The debate on epistemic and theoretical-methodological reference frameworks in Geography has expanded perspectives. The emphasis varies according to the types of propositions on which the research logic procedures and consecutive technical means are outlined. Bringing new propositions requires justification that makes it possible to reformulate answers, expand the scope of the investigation, refine nuances in the rules of explanation, developing elucidating resources. This exploratory and expository article, with an integrative review, focused on conceptual frameworks from the philosophy of science, offering consistent approaches to uncover key factors in complex systems and ways to reposition epistemic controversies in Geography. It is claimed that Transcendental Realism offers conspicuous panoramas in the relationship between ontology and epistemology and, applied in the human sciences as Critical Realism, it provides bridges and synergies between the areas of study of the discipline. The potential of this reference framework was presented as to articulate categories, structures/agents relationships and their practices and representations, causal explanations and phenomenal expressions. With a distinct perspective on the metatheoretical scope of analysis, it recombines techniques, instruments and methodologies.